2 macaws or one

To clear things up, I'm not planning on getting a macaw or two for that matter any time soon (no time ) But I was just thinking if in the future I decided that I had enough time or whatever and just out of curiosity.

If I or someone were to get to baby macaws at the same time so they could grow up together, and be with each other. One, could they live together like in an aviary together or in a bird room etc, and second, there is the possibility of them bonding together and not really taking to humans as much correct?

I'm just curious and this generally applies to all birds I would assume, but I just want to know your thoughts on it. Also I would appreciate input from people who have multiple macaws or birds in general to know what it is like, as I know a lot of you have multiple birds!
Thanks so much for quelling my curiosity !!

IF your rather new to Macaws, then I would say just one. One is already a lot to handle for someone new. Yes they can learn to bond to one another, when they hit major hormones, you'll pay for it....My Macaws don't like each other but I don't have an issue with them bonding but they're kept separately, they don't even want to be on the same play stand together. I have a boy and a girl.

I have one, and he's my first, and he IS a handful! And I can't even handle him yet!! My gf's brother in law has a gw and a b&g in the same cage, both females, and they seem to get along "ok". The Gw tends to pick on the other, but nothing serious. Both are bonded to their human, too (the brother in law).

So, I hope that's clear as mud for you. I know it is for me.

First, learn as much as you can about how to train one before you get it.

Second, get one first.

They don't have to be raised together as babies to bond. Get one, get it trained, before moving on to another one... BITE PRESSURE TRAINING, SOCIALIZATION, SOCIALIZATION AND MORE SOCIALIZATION. (In that order!) And once the first bird is trained, the second bird will take its cues from the first. So, a second bird becomes easier to train... (Except of course, when the first bird becomes insanely jealous of the attention you are paying to the second bird, and becomes pissy with either you, or the other bird... Or both of you. These are pair bond birds. Bringing in a third wheel can be great, or it can upset the apple cart.)

Macaws are the most toddler like of parrots. You are taking on a human toddler level of attention. Adding a second is like having twins... And if you don't know how to train one, and have twins?! (Oh, and did I mention that these babies can destroy your house, or remove fingers... so, yeah, one at a time!)

Do not get me wrong. A "mush mac" is the most wonderful companion animal there is... (And I often find myself saying how is it possible to love a damned bird this much?!)

A macaw that is "large and in charge?!" That would be the opposite of wonderful. Those are usually the birds I am called to come and get... (Get "THIS THING" out of my house!)

Big Macs are probably my favorite... but... they are a lot of work.

My two macaws get along, but the Red Front is extremely jealous of the attention paid to the Greenwing.

And the Greenwing doesn't care. She just demands attention!

I researched Macaws off and on for about a year and visited the local parrot rescue several times so I could really get a feel of what owning a macaw was about. I found one that I fell in love with and he picked me as well. IMO birds pick us we don't pick them.

When I adopted my B&G I thought I was ready but clearly I have much to learn. He is a handful to say the lest. One week he is a " mush mac" and the next he is "large and in charge".

BTW I have twin 10 year old girls and they are easier then Wesley. I have two birds and two kids all going through puberty. It's a lot of fun.

Please spend a lot of time with them before you get one and get one at a time. I couldn't imagine two Wesley's at the same time. Don't get me wrong I love him and there in no way I'm going to get rid of him.

I think it depends on how stable and unchanging your lifestyle will be in the future. They live forever, and if you plan on getting married, having kids, moving to an apartment (noise levels), getting a new busy job, or having another major lifestyle change, it may impact the bird(s) as well. There's no guarantee they'll like your kids or spouse either and they definitely won't like long work hours, or lots of travel time away.

I personally would start off with one. Macaws, especially the large Macaws, are a handful enough, without having more than one. It takes a very dedicated and committed person to have multiple large parrots for a long duration of their lives.

I got 2 Mac's at the same time and if I have to do it again of course I would do it . We have lots of fun together and I have trained them not to be too noisy . I got them at 3 months old now they are almost 2 . It's a pair each from different breeder.

I started with two but they were bonded already. To be honest I agree with the consensus. Get one at a time. I bought a third and have been able to bond with him far better than the other two. I had to get over my fear of the beak and it's tough with two beaks staring at me. The original two do live together. How old are they when puberty hits?

locito277 said:

I started with two but they were bonded already. To be honest I agree with the consensus. Get one at a time. I bought a third and have been able to bond with him far better than the other two. I had to get over my fear of the beak and it's tough with two beaks staring at me. The original two do live together. How old are they when puberty hits?

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Seven to twelve... that to me is the "tough age" for macaws.

Thanks birdman so I got about two and a half yrs to go

I have one, she is a Hahn's. she is seven months. Their were two in the clutch both females and it was tough for me to take one without the other but I was not in the financial situation to buy two at once at that time, plus all they would need, vetting etc. at times I am sorry that I did not just bite the bullet and take them both, but the other issue was that I took Hahnna hime at six weeks and finished hand feeding and having two to worry about, I would come home in my lunch hour to feed and check etc so two at the same time would have beeb a bit much for me to handle. I thought about adding another now, since Hahnna is seven months, settled in and weaned but I spoke to a few who said that I may lose that bond I have with her. That the two may take to each other and not want to be with me as much or as my husband thinks Hahnna may not take to another, she is really bonded to us. So for me, I will probably just always have just Hahnna. I do find myself looking on Petfinder, actually keep being pulled back to a 21 year old Severe Macaw that. First saw right after we got Hahnna, that was over the summer and poor baby is still there in rescue. They say she is a good girl, not a screamer or a biter, just a bit shy. Idk I keep looking at her, just do not want to upset the apple cart but she is calling to me. I. Think because she looks so sad and is 21 and does not look like she is getting many bites. For now I am saying just Hahnna and I but that could change I guess :21::21:

Do they out grow their sexual activity level? We have a 13 year old B&G who laid an egg 3 days ago and 1 today. She is in love with the lady of the house. We are getting a female harliquin rescue in a week or so who is 11, I suppose we'll have our hands full with 2 of them acting that way. Hoping they like each other and think she'll fit our flock well.

Birdman666 said:

Seven to twelve... that to me is the "tough age" for macaws.

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Is that across all macaw breeds? Or just the big guys?

If you are a first time bird owner, I would start with something smaller. Most large macaws can live to be 100 years old, and you have to put them in your will. It is a lifetime commitment, not just something for a few years. Your kids, grand kids, great grand kids might meet this bird. I have a conure and those birds can live 30 years! I will be 50 ish before she passes. Please do your research. Too many of these beautiful birds end up in aviary rescues for years.

goalerjones said:

Birdman666 said:

Seven to twelve... that to me is the "tough age" for macaws.

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Is that across all macaw breeds? Or just the big guys?

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I was referring to the big guys... Red Front on up.

Birdman666 said:

goalerjones said:

Birdman666 said:

Seven to twelve... that to me is the "tough age" for macaws.

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Is that across all macaw breeds? Or just the big guys?

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I was referring to the big guys... Red Front on up.

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the age range you see most up for rehoming on craigs list, big surprise there.

I'm sure it's just pure coincidence... :54:

Most people do not handle their birds enough, and that is especially true with macaws.

I have had ZERO rough patches with my Greenwing. She is a doll, and has been since day 4. (It took her that long to adjust to her new home.) And now she's going on 17 and past the raging hormones stage...

I have had a couple of seasonal hormone and discipline problems with my red front. Frankly, the main problem I have had with that one has been Jealousy and over bonding (with me), not hormones... She gets insanely jealous of the other birds at times.

The only thing I have with one of my two amzons is that seasonal territorial thing, THAT'S MY SPOT! NO OTHER BIRDS ALLOWED. (The second one is 40 years old now, and deals with the hormones just fine.)

So, really, it's not that bad if you've done the basic training. Again, a lot of people either don't seem to know how, or simply don't bother...

Personally I am going to start with one. Then build my flock up from that if I feel the need.

I was wondering where you got your RFM from? I’m interested in buying a new baby too Avalon aviary . You said it was jealous of the Greenwing , were they introduced both as babies?

Tinabell said:

I was wondering where you got your RFM from? I’m interested in buying a new baby too Avalon aviary . You said it was jealous of the Greenwing , were they introduced both as babies?

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This thread is 5 years old, and Bridman's greenwing macaw actually flew away one day (about 3 years ago) and has not been seen since. Mark has not been very active in the forum since then. You will get more responses if you make your own thread with these questions.